Holding immigrants for ICE is unlawful, SJC rules

By Andy Metzger, State House News Service, special to the BIR
August 1, 2017
Andy Metzger, State House News Service, special to the BIR

In a ruling rife with consequences for immigrants being pursued across Massachusetts by federal agents, the Supreme Judicial Court said last month that state law does not permit officials to detain immigrants solely at the request of federal immigration officials, effectively erecting a legal barrier to a long-running component of immigration enforcement.

Ulster University cites former BRA head Coyle for his outreach work in the era of the Troubles

By Gareth McKeown, The Irish News, special to the BIR
August 1, 2017
Gareth McKeown, The Irish News, special to the BIR

DERRY, No. Ireland – An American businessman who helped replace guns with jobs in Derry during the Troubles received an honorary degree from Ulster University last month.

Boston native Stephen Coyle, a director of the Boston Redevelopment Authority under Mayor Ray Flynn in the 1980s whose family hails from Derry and Galway, was recognized for his work promoting peace and prosperity in the Maiden City during the conflict, notably his work in helping to bring about the creation of Foyleside shopping centre.

July is a sad month in Ireland’s North

By Joe Leary, special to the BIR
August 1, 2017
Joe Leary, special to the BIR

The sad continuation of officially sanctioned sectarian agitation occurs regularly every July in Northern Ireland. Hundreds of government-approved parades and dozens of subsidized massive bonfires together celebrate the superiority of Protestants over the Catholic population by commemorating a 300-year-old military battle.

Can Trump survive this level of scrutiny?

By James W. Dolan, special to the BIR
August 1, 2017
James W. Dolan, special to the BIR

President Donald Trump is caught in a spinning wheel that he can’t control. He has every reason to be alarmed at the appointment of a special prosecutor, but not because there was collusion between his campaign and Russia or that he engaged in obstruction of justice. Those allegations have yet to be proved and may never be. The larger issue is whether or not he and some of his aides can withstand the level of scrutiny they are likely to receive. One thing leads to another, as disclosures take investigators from anticipated to unanticipated directions.

MEET THE MAGUIRES: parental vision and hard work – plus music – make for a ‘wonderful’ happening

By Sean Smith, special to the BIR
August 1, 2017
Sean Smith, special to the BIR

Philip Maguire doesn’t lay claim to being a philosopher, but then again he does seem to have a pretty good angle on what it takes to be part of a suddenly popular Irish music family band that features two teenagers and one pre-teen.

First, you don’t so much move the goal posts – you look for different sets of goal posts to put in front of you. And second, and perhaps most importantly, you develop an appreciation for the little absurdities of life, such as oxymorons and their exalted place in Irish conversation.

Recalling how Diddy Cullinane sparked goodwill

Ed Forry
By Ed Forry
August 1, 2017

The year was 1989. A group of business and community leaders in Boston gathered to search for ways to help heal a racially divided community.

Boston’s reputation was still reeling from years of contentious events brought about by the court-ordered busing of school children. Street crime was on the rise, the murder rate was increasing, and a national economic slowdown loomed ahead.
Then up stepped Diddy Cullinane, a Dorchester-born woman who, with her husband, John Cullinane, were known for their philanthropic leadership across the city.

Vincent Crotty Artwork on display at Milton Public Library through August

By BIR News Room
July 17, 2017

The Wotiz Gallery of the Milton Public Library will host Boston painter Vincent Crotty during the month of August 2017. Mr. Crotty, a visual artist, paints figures and landscapes from life and in the studio. His work spans a wide range, from the back streets of this hometown in Ireland to the back porches of his Dorchester three-decker neighborhood. He got his start as a sign painter in his native Ireland, and further developed his skills through studies, and his intense work ethic, to become the accomplished artist we will see in this exhibit.

Eire Society Gold Medalist Colm Toibin wins Dayton literary peace award

By Ed Forry
July 14, 2017
Ed Forry

CINCINNATI (AP) - Irish novelist, journalist and essayist Colm Toibin is this year's winner of a lifetime achievement award that celebrates the power of literature to foster peace, social justice and global understanding, organizers announced Thursday. (The New York-based writer was awarded the 2017 Gold Medal from Boston's Eire Society earlier this year.)

ICE deports Brighton man; John Cunningham was an "overstay" for more than a decade

By BIR newsroom
July 8, 2017
BIR newsroom

BOSTON (AP) — A prominent Irishman who lived illegally in Boston for years has been deported, closing a case that has generated fear and anxiety within the state’s sizeable Irish expat community.
John Cunningham returned to Ireland on Wednesday night, July 5, a spokesman for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement confirmed on Thursday. The 38-year old electrical contractor had been in custody since he was arrested at his home on June 16.

Pages

Subscribe to Boston Irish RSS